Unfortunately, we are living in a time where many people feel they should have a say over what people do with their bodies and their choices. Women, in particular, are repeatedly told how they should behave, what they should want, and who they should be for others. Dirty Towel is our effort to challenge this narrative and confront the shame that so often dictates women’s choices—about their bodies, their identities, and their lives.

The film explores how generational shame is inherited, internalized, and carried forward over time. Through three women at different stages of life, Dirty Towel examines the ways fear and expectation shape decisions, and what it takes to finally question the beliefs we’ve been taught. While the story tackles sexual shame, its larger focus is on choice itself: the freedom to define your own values, listen to your intuition, and choose yourself without apology.

Charlie’s journey reflects the pressure to prioritize the opinions of others and fear of judgement over personal truth, until finally finding confidence in herself. It’s especially important for young women to gain confidence in their voices and understand that their comfort and their confidence in their decisions is the only thing that matters. But this shame doesn’t vanish when you leave adolescence behind. For many, it lingers into adulthood, shaping relationships, self-worth, and the way we see ourselves. That’s why we felt it was essential to also tell Elizabeth’s story. Her unresolved guilt and repression from the shame she feels for her own choices speaks to the long-term damage this shame can cause. Her story is about letting go of that shame and re-discovering your identity after motherhood. Together, Charlie and Elizabeth’s stories highlight that coming-of-age, self-discovery, and reclaiming agency are not confined to a single moment in life—they can happen at any age.

By exploring themes of generational shame, self-worth, societal expectations, and sexual empowerment, our goal for Dirty Towel is to spark meaningful conversations, make audiences feel less alone, and empower people to feel confident in their choices, free from the opinions of others. We believe in the power of art to create connection and inspire a positive change in the world and that’s exactly what we want to do with Dirty Towel, to send a message of hope at a time where it is needed the most.